Petterd's new role across the backline has allowed former Tigers' captain Chris Newman to float forward.

He lamented some inaccuracy in his disposal, saying he wished he had brought Newman's kicking boots with him to the ground.

"I turned it over a bit, but releasing him (Newman) up forward will benefit us, I think," he said.

"Playing the spare (in defence) I think there's a few blokes in our team that can do it now."

Petterd said the Richmond team had plenty of on-field leadership, starting with new captain Trent Cotchin - 31 possessions and five tackles - who lifted his side when needed in the final term.

"I only think you have to look as far as Cotchin, what he does in the last quarter of tight games, he just injects himself into the game and makes it his responsibilty to get us up and going and over the line," he said.

"The good thing is now we've got it (leadership) through all the lines.

"We've got Chappy (former Port Adelaide player Troy Chaplin) down back now, it was as vocal out there in the last five minutes as it was in the first five.

"And we've got Jack (Riewoldt, who scored seven goals) and the boys down forward, it's just a spread throughout the ground, I think."

Petterd acknowledged it would be difficult to hold his spot in a side on the rise, with plenty of competition for places.

"It's going to be super tough," he said.

"I've got to go out and play every game as if it's my last, and that's what I intend to do."